Steering-wheel-attaching device



Eeb.- ze 1924. l 1,484,893

E. J. LOBDELL;

STEERING WHEEL ATTACHING DEVICE Filed Feb. 12 .1921

Patented Feb. 25, i924.

STEERING-W'HEEL-ATTACHNG DEVECE.

Application filed February 12, 1921.

To all 107mm t may concern.'

Be it known that l, EDWARD J. Losheim, a citizen of the United States, and residing at naway, in the county of Presque isle and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Steeringp Wheel-Attaching Devices, of which the following is a specification.

' The present invention relates to devices for securing steering wheels to the steering rods of automobiles, motor boats, airplanes, etc., and particularly to means for securing steering wheels having wooden hub portions to metallic steering rods. In the application for Letters Patent filed in the name of Charles H. Kendrick on October 16, 1920, Serial No. 417,459, a device is illustrated, described and claimed by means of which the wooden hub of a steering wheel may be rigidly secured to a metallic steering rod and the present invention is an improvement upon the invention disclosed in the application above mentioned.

One object of this invention is to provide a hub clamping device by means of which the hub will be more securely fastened to the steering post and may be securely held against rotation relatively to the post, which device is simple, strong and easily manufactured and assembled. Another object of the invention is to provide a cas-ing for the securing device whereby the latter is entirely protected from the action of the elements and is also completely hidden from view so that the casing alone is visible, which presents a neat and attractive outline to the eye. Other objects will be apparent as the invention is disclosed in the following description when talren with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view through the upper end of an automobile steering column having the improved wheel attaching device secured thereto;

yFigure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure l; and

Figure 3 is a section on line 3 3 of Figure l.

The outer casing of the steering column is indicated at 10, the tubular steering rod at l1, the tubular stationary member at l2 and the usual throttle and spark controlling rods at 13 and le respectively. The casing l0 terminates considerably below the end of the steering rod l1 and has upon its upper end Serial No. Mal.

yan annular washer l5 which support-s the lower end of a sleeve l ber 16 preferably of cast aluminum, an also supports the lower end of a nut 17 w`. ich is threaded upon the lo rer end of the sleeve. 'The sleeve 16 rotates with the rod il, bei keyed thereto by a. lrey i8, and this sleeve is formed at its upper end with a central recess to receive a nut 19 having threaded engagement with the steering rod and which is designed to coopcrate with the washer .l5 in preventing the sleeve from moving longitudinally. The sleeve is also formed with exterior annular iiange 2O at its upper end which flange has a series of concentric circular corrugations or grooves 2l on its lower surface. The wood or fiber hub 22 of a steering wheel is clamped between the flange 20 and an annular member 23, the upper surface of which is also provided with a series of concentric circular grooves or knife edges 2e. A plurality of bolts 25 are provided whereby the annular dish may be drawn toward the flange 2O in clamping the hub, and to maintain it in clamping position. The rotatable nuts 26 are located at the upper endsof the bolts so that they be reached from above in making adjustments.

order nat the hub clamping device be entirely protected from the elements and also in order te provide a construction having ornamental appearance, a two-part casing is provided comprising an annular dome-sha ed member 27 above the hub and securing device, and a substantially similar member 28 below the hub, the concave surfaces these members being directed toward the hub so that the.v forni housings for the ends of the bolts 25. The upper portion 27 of the casing is hold in position by the stationary sector 29 which is secured to the stationary rod l2 the lower portion of the casing is clamped between a shoulder on the sleeve 16 and the upper end of the nut 17. The sector 29 as well as the gas and spark levers are of course not placed in position until after the wheel has been secured to the steering rod and the upper member 27 of the L laced in position. humorous changes may be .made in the exact form and arrangements of the elements of the invention which is therefore not limited in its scope tothe enact form described and illustrated.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new` and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination with a steering wheel having a wooden hub portion, of means for securing the same to a steeringvrod com-V prising a sleeve adaptedV to fit over the steering rod and to be fastened thereto and having an exterior annular flange lying on one side of the wooden hub, an annular ring member concentric with the sleeve and lying on the opposite side of the wooden hub, and a plurality of bolts extending through saidpring and annular flange for moving the ring to clamp the hub between the ring and flange and to hold the hub clamped in such position, said flange and ring having` their `facing surfaces deeply grooved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of a spoke of the wheel.

2. The combinationV with a steering` wheel having a wooden hub portion, of a steering column having a casing-and a steering rod protruding beyond the end of the casing,

of means for securing the steering wheel to the projecting portions of the steering rod comprising, a sleeve adapted to fit over the steering rod and to be secured thereto, the lower end of said sleeve being supported on said casing and said sleeve having an exterior annular flange lying on one side of the wooden hub, anY annular ring member` concentric with the sleeve and lying on the opposite side of the wooden hub, a nut having Vthreaded engagement with the steering rod and bearing on the sleeve to clamp the "same between said nut and casing, and

means for moving the ring toward the annular flange to clamp the hub and to hold the same clamped in such position.

3. The combination with a steering wheel having a wooden hub portion, of means for securing the same to a steering rod comprising a sleeve adapted to fit over the steering rod and to be fastened thereto and having an exterior annular flange lying on one side of the wooden hub, an annular ring member concentric with the sleeve and lying on the opposite side of the wooden hub, and a pluralityy of bolts extending through said ring and annular flange for moving the ring to clamp the hub between the ring and flange and to hold the hub clamped in such position, the surfaces of said flange and ring in contact with said wooden hub having corrugations concentric with said sleeve. Y

4:. The combination with a steering wheel i eases having a wooden hub portion, of means for securing the saine to a steering rod including a sleeve adaptedV to fit over the steering rod and to be fastened thereto, means for securing thehub to said sleeve, and a casing enclosing said securing means. Y

5. rlhe combination with a steering wheel having a wooden hub portion, of means for securing the same to a steering -rod including a sleeve adapted to fit over the steering rod and to be fastened thereto,means for securing the hub to said sleeve, and acasing enclosing said securing means, said cas"- ing being formed in Ytwo portions, one portion being below the hub and the other portion being above the hub.

6. The combination with a steering wheel having a wooden hub portion, of means for securing the same to a steering rod including a sleeve adapted 'to fit over the steering rod and to'be fastenedthereto, means for i securing the hub to said sleeve, and a casing enclosing said securing means, saidv casing being formed in two .annular portions concentric with the steering rod, one portion being below and' the other portion being above the hub and hub securingrmeans.

7. rlfhe combination with a steering wheel having a wooden hub portion, of means for securing the same to al steering'rod including a sleeve adapted to fit over the steering rod and to be fastened thereto, means for securing the hub to said sleeve, and a casing enclosing said securing means,irsaidrcas ing being formed in two annular domeshapedfportions concentric withV the vsteering rod,one portion being below the Vhub securing means and having its concave side upwardly directed, and the other'portion being above the` hub securing means and having rected. Y

8. The combinationwith a steering wheel its concave side downwardly di-y having a wooden hub portion, of means for securing the saineV to a steering rod including a sleeve adapted to, fit over the steering rod and to be fastened thereto, 'means for securing the hub to said sleeve, a casing enclosing said securing means, said casing being foimed in two portions, one portion being below the hub and the other being above the hub, and means for holding the two portions of the hub in fixed spaced relation. I

ln testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EDWARD J. LoBDELL. 

